Bradford up for a battle

Geelong star takes on world champion in main bout

HE is one of the most credentialed fighters on the global kickboxing scene.

But veteran Geelong fighter Chris Bradford (pictured) had no hesitation in stepping up to fight Scottish-born Steve McKinnon.

Bradford has come out of retirement to meet McKinnon, the WBC Muay Thai super cruiserweight world champion in the main event at Powerplay 37 at Melbourne Pavilion tomorrow night.

The five-round world title bout pits two of the sport’s most brutal brawlers in a match-up that will open doors to the world stage.

“Opportunities like this one don’t come around too often,” Bradford, 41, said.

“To fight someone of the calibre of Steve McKinnon, who is a world-class opponent, is not only a challenge but it officially puts me on the world stage. I look forward to the challenge.

“We’re both big guys, over 100kg, we both have onepunch knockout power and we both have a work rate that is very hard to cope with in the heavyweight division.

“Not only can it be fastpaced, it can also be lights out at any moment.

“They call him the smashing machine for a reason.

“His work rate is second to none, he’s fought the best in the world for a lot of years.

“Fighting someone of his calibre, I’m either going to learn, have the biggest victory of my life or one of the most brutal fights of my career.”

With 53 wins from 59 fights, former Glory star McKinnon is capable of putting Bradford to sleep.

But Bradford, a two-time caged Muay Thai Australian champion and IKBF Commonwealth, South Pacific and Australian champion, remains undaunted.

“I’ve never stressed once in my life about being knocked out in the ring,” he said.

“The thing that has been a downfall in my career is I’ve had no respect for my own safety. One thing I will always do is walk forward.”

Bradford and McKinnon will fight at 94kg under K1 rules.